A puppy was taken away from its owner this week after testing positive
for drugs even though there is not enough evidence to charge the New Mexico
woman with any crime.

Arlene Saiz, 30, of Albuqurque, says she brought the dog to a
veterinarian Tuesday after it began acting strangely and was told it tested
positive for cocaine and marijuana – she insists she has no idea where the drugs
came from.

The single mother claims the vet and police then coerced her
into signing a document that forfeited her rights to Maddie because she asked to
be billed for the visit.

Taken away: 11-month-old puppy Maddie has been placed in the care of the city

Ms Saiz told MailOnline that she and her 11-year-old
daughter became concerned when Maddie become unsteady on her feet during a
walk.

They took the dog home and it soon started twitching, shaking and having trouble holding up
its own head, said Ms Saiz, that’s when she rushed Maddie to the vet.

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She also blamed a 'poop-like' substance the dog ate near an outdoor trash can, explaining Maddie started acting funny after eating it.

Maddie will either be handed to a rescue agency or put into
an adoption program once healthy, a city official told KOAT. Ms Saiz is unable
to adopt any pets for one full year because she signed the waiver.

Ms Saiz has hired a lawyer and is pursuing legal action to
be reunited with the dog. She is also considering a civil suit against both the
city and the vet’s office.